The purpose of the Unity Movement Motorcade & Assembly is to show support for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s recommendations for long-term status for legal alien workers who have resided in the CNMI for five years or more; to urge U.S. Congress to act quickly on the recommendations; and to bring the entire community together in support of long-term status for legal aliens in order to stabilize the workforce and keep families together.
“The task before us now is to embrace and extend the Department of the Interior’s recommendations to integrate and unify the community, stabilize the workforce and consumer base, and lay the foundation for our economic revival,” said Unity Movement supporter and local attorney Stephen Woodruff. “This Sunday’s motorcade and assembly will be about addressing a major and lingering issue in the CNMI so that we can all move forward together.”
The May 16 Motorcade & Assembly program will include inspirational messages, cultural entertainment, and the launching of several petitions that will showcase community-wide support for long-term status for guest workers, including support from local businesses, faith-based organizations, and residents across the CNMI, including Rota and Tinian. Sample letters and addresses of members of Congress will also be distributed.
“In 2007, we joined the historic Unity March calling for the passage of federal immigration law for the CNMI and improved status for the CNMI’s guest workers. Almost three years later, federal immigration law now applies to the CNMI, and the secretary of the Interior has recommended improved status. Now it is up to U.S. Congress to act on those recommendations. We appeal to them to act quickly, and we respectfully ask the entire community to join us in these efforts,” said Unity Movement supporter Malou Berueco. Berueco, a wife, mother, and guest worker, has lived and worked in the CNMI with her family for more than 15 years.
All participants are asked to wear white on May 16, symbolizing both peace and hope, and are invited to bring their own signs and banners showing their support of long-term status.
For more information about the Unity Movement Motorcade & Assembly, contact Rabby Syed at 285-3306 or Boni Sagana at 989-4844. Businesses or individuals interested in making in-kind donations of water, trash bags, banners, placards, paint supplies, printing and copying services (for letters and petitions), and other materials may contact Ronnie Doca at 285-9255 or Yho Villavicencio at 285-8769.
//
